A Different Approach to Coloring Outside the Lines

I wrote a similar blog years ago related to thinking outside the box. While the phrase “Color Outside the Lines” is now more commonly heard than “Think Outside the Box,” the core message remains the same.

In today’s business world, “you need to color outside the lines” is often said when a company’s revenue growth has stagnated, or results are falling short. This concept, while powerful, can sometimes shift focus away from where it needs to be. Businesses often turn to innovation and creativity during challenging times, but these efforts are rarely effective if the basics aren’t solid.

Think of it this way: The lines in a coloring book represent the fundamentals of a task or process. The areas outside the lines are where bold, creative ideas can flourish to take things to the next level. But if you ignore the lines and jump straight to the creative side, your efforts might not lead to sustainable results. You need a balance between mastering the fundamentals and pushing the boundaries.

When I originally wrote about this concept, I was a partner in a chain of restaurants. One of our critical success factors was controlling food costs. To tackle this, we developed a training manual titled *What is Gross Margin and Why Should I Care?* This manual explained gross margin in simple terms, connecting food costs and profitability to crew members’ raises, profit sharing, and benefits. It became a cornerstone of our training and team meetings. I considered this manual a way of coloring outside the lines—a creative approach to engage employees and tie their work directly to the company’s success.

This innovative idea worked well overall, but when we fell short of our food cost goals, the problem was rarely a lack of understanding among the team. Instead, it was almost always due to failures in the basics:

- Proper ordering practices  
- Proper receiving practices  
- Proper inventory management  
- Proper food handling and prep practices  
- Proper sandwich making practices  
- Proper cashiering practices  

When any of these fundamentals were neglected, food costs would spike. For example, sloppy inventory practices or poor hiring and training choices often had a bigger impact on our bottom line than the manual—no matter how creative or engaging it was.

I’m not against coloring outside the lines. When used effectively, it can lead to extraordinary results. But it’s essential to remember that the basics need to be firmly in place first. The most successful innovations build on a foundation of solid processes. Once the fundamentals are mastered, creative ideas can be integrated and become the new standards. Over time, the boundaries expand, and today’s “outside the lines” ideas can become tomorrow’s fundamentals. And then, the cycle begins again.

So, as you work to grow your business and find new solutions, ask yourself: Are your fundamentals strong enough to support creative innovation? If the answer is yes, go ahead and color boldly outside the lines. But if the basics need attention, start there first. Success lies in balancing creativity with discipline.